Edward J. Bage
Edward J. Bage, age 84, of Potsdam and formerly of Southhold, New York, died on October 7 at the Claxton-Hepburn Hospital after a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease.
Edward was born on September 1, 1930 in Hempstead, New York, the son of Frank Bagenski and Katherine Laska. As a young boy, Edward learned the plasterer trade and worked construction with his father and brothers. He graduated from Hempstead High School, and later attended Union College. He was a member of the College football team. He entered the United States Air Force during the Korean War in 1951 and was honorably discharged in 1953.
He earned degrees in Construction Engineering from Farmingdale Ag. and Tech. Institute, and Mechanical and Civil Engineering from Brooklyn Polytechnical Institute. He was and all-star member of the Farmingdale Institute football team.
Edward married his wife of sixty years, Sandra Marshut, at St. Aidan’s Church in Williston Park on August 29, 1954. He worked commercial construction, and then built military aircraft at Sperry Rand Corporation on Long Island. He acquired a New York State Professional Engineer license and became proprietor of a custom-design construction business. He also served as Southold Town Engineer.
Later, he was an engineer for ARAMCO in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia where he lived with his wife for four years. He returned to the U.S. and worked as an engineer, including projects for SUNY @ Stony Brook, and the USDA Plum Island Animal Disease Center. After retirement, he served as code enforcement officer for the Village of Greenport, NY.
Edward was a member of the Jaycee’s and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. He was a member of the Southold Yacht Club, and the president of the Southold Rotary Club. He was the president of the Southold Republican Club and became a Democrat, standing vigil with Veteran’s For Peace.
He will be remembered for his construction talent and sense of humor. He was an avid reader and historian of U.S and European political history. He was politically engaged and possessed a strong civic commitment.
Edward is survived by his survived by his wife Sandra; daughters Lynda and Karen Bage; a granddaughter Coral Pondysh and sisters Frances and Felicia. He was predeceased by brothers, Joe, Frank and Adam; a sister, Elizabeth, and two nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity.
Funeral services were held last week at St. Mary ‘s Church and Ed was then buried at Bayside Cemetery.